Method of transporting preformed flower pot covers

ABSTRACT

A method of packaging and/or transporting a stack of preformed flower pot covers utilizing a portable platform is disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE STATEMENT

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/740,670, filed Jan. 14, 2013; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 12/891,030, filed Sep. 27, 2010, now abandoned; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 12/215,146, filed Jun. 25, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,836,665, issued Nov. 23, 2010. The entire contents of the above-referenced patents and patent applications are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

Decorative covers for flower pots have been used for many years to accentuate or complement the aesthetic appearance of a floral grouping disposed in the flower pot. Such decorative covers are often preformed flower pot covers made by forming a flexible sheet of material into a shape adapted to receive a flower pot.

In the process of forming the sheet of material into the flower pot cover, a plurality of overlapping folds is formed in the sheet of material. The overlapping folds cooperate to provide structural strength to keep the preformed shape of the flower pot cover. In addition, flower pot covers are often formed to have a skirt portion which is designed to extend beyond the upper end of the flower pot and functions to cover the soil and the lower portion or stem portion of a floral grouping which can be unattractive and thus draw away from the attractiveness of the combination of the blooms of the floral grouping and the flower pot cover.

To transport flower pot covers after the forming process, a plurality of preformed flower pot covers are typically stacked or nested relative to one another and the stack is placed in a cardboard box. After several stacks of the preformed flower pot covers have been placed in the box, the box is closed and sealed.

While the use of cardboard boxes has been widely accepted in the packaging and transporting of preformed flower pot covers, they are not without disadvantages. For example, cardboard boxes represent a disposal problem for the receiver of the flower pot covers. In addition, the contents of the box can not be inspected without unsealing and opening the box. As such, one is unable to observe the quality and quantity of the flower pot covers prior to opening the box.

To this end, a method of packaging preformed flower pot covers is needed that permits easy transport of a large quantity of flower pot covers while overcoming the disadvantages mentioned above. It is to such a method that the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is directed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible sheet of material used to form a flower pot cover.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the prior art preformed flower pot cover.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shipping pallet constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 4 is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the shipping pallet of FIG. 3 having a plurality of stacks of preformed flower pot covers supported thereon.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a shipping pallet constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 6 is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, of FIG. 5 having a plurality of stacks of preformed flower pot covers supported thereon.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a shipping pallet constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

FIG. 8 is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the shipping pallet of FIG. 7 having a plurality of stacks of preformed flower pot covers supported thereon.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a stack wrapping apparatus for stacking and securing a plurality of preformed flower pot covers on any of the shipping pallets of FIGS. 3, 5, and 7.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the stack wrapping apparatus of FIG. 9 depicting the use thereof for wrapping a sheet of material about a plurality of stacks of preformed flower pot covers to secure the stacks of preformed flower pot covers to the shipping pallet of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) in detail, it is to be understood that the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components or steps or methodologies set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Unless otherwise defined herein, technical terms used in connection with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) shall have the meanings that are commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular.

All patents, published patent applications, and non-patent publications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) pertains. All patents, published patent applications, and non-patent publications referenced in any portion of this application are herein expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual patent or publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

All of the articles and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the articles and methods of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) have been described in terms of particular embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the articles and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s). All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) as defined by the appended claims.

As utilized in accordance with the present disclosure, the following terms, unless otherwise indicated, shall be understood to have the following meanings:

The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternatives and “and/or.” Throughout this application, the term “about” is used to indicate that a value includes the inherent variation of error for the device, the method being employed to determine the value, or the variation that exists among the study subjects. For example but not by way of limitation, when the term “about” is utilized, the designated value may vary by plus or minus twelve percent, or eleven percent, or ten percent, or nine percent, or eight percent, or seven percent, or six percent, or five percent, or four percent, or three percent, or two percent, or one percent. The use of the term “at least one” will be understood to include one as well as any quantity more than one, including but not limited to, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, etc. The term “at least one” may extend up to 100 or 1000 or more, depending on the term to which it is attached; in addition, the quantities of 100/1000 are not to be considered limiting, as higher limits may also produce satisfactory results. In addition, the use of the term “at least one of X, Y and Z” will be understood to include X alone, Y alone, and Z alone, as well as any combination of X, Y and Z. The use of ordinal number terminology (i.e., “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc.) is solely for the purpose of differentiating between two or more items and is not meant to imply any sequence or order or importance to one item over another or any order of addition, for example.

As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

The term “or combinations thereof” as used herein refers to all permutations and combinations of the listed items preceding the term. For example, “A, B, C, or combinations thereof” is intended to include at least one of: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if order is important in a particular context, also BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB. Continuing with this example, expressly included are combinations that contain repeats of one or more item or term, such as BB, AAA, AAB, BBC, AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, and so forth. The skilled artisan will understand that typically there is no limit on the number of items or terms in any combination, unless otherwise apparent from the context.

As used herein, the term “substantially” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance completely occurs or that the subsequently described event or circumstance occurs to a great extent or degree. For example, the term “substantially” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance occurs at least 90% of the time, or at least 95% of the time, or at least 98% of the time.

The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is directed to a method of transporting and packaging a plurality of preformed flower pot covers (also referred to as flower pot covers). Each preformed flower pot cover is formed from a flexible sheet of material which is formed into a shape and size to receive a flower pot. The preformed flower pot cover has a base with a closed lower end and an open upper end with an object opening extending therethrough for receiving the flower pot.

In one embodiment, the method of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) includes providing a portable platform having at least one preformed flower pot cover receiving recess. Each preformed flower pot cover receiving recess is surrounded by an upper angular surface so that when a stack of preformed flower pot covers is placed in the preformed flower pot cover receiving recess, a portion of each skirt of the preformed flower pot cover is positioned on and supported by the upper angular surface disposed about the at least one preformed flower pot cover receiving recess provided in the portable platform. Each preformed flower pot cover receiving recess is configured to stabilize, receive and protect a plurality of stacked preformed flower pot covers during transportation. The at least one stack of preformed flower pot covers can then be secured to the platform using stretch wrap, shrink wrap, straps, tape, rope or the like and then transported to a predetermined destination.

Another embodiment of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) includes the step of providing a portable platform having a substantially planar upper surface and at least one preformed flower pot cover receiving recesses having a diameter greater than the diameter of the base of the preformed flower pot covers. Each preformed flower pot cover receiving recess is configured to stabilize, receive and protect the at least one stack of preformed flower pot covers during transportation. The at least one stack of preformed flower pot covers are supported within the at least one preformed flower pot cover receiving recess so that at least a portion of the portable platform surrounds the at least one preformed flower pot cover receiving recess to provide support for a portion of the skirt of each preformed flower pot cover in the at least one stack of preformed flower pot covers supported by the at least one preformed flower pot cover receiving recess. The at least one stack of preformed flower pot covers can then be secured to the platform using stretch wrap, shrink wrap, straps, tape, rope or the like and then transported to a predetermined destination.

Yet another embodiment of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is a method which includes providing a portable platform having a plurality of stabilizing members or shells extending therefrom. Each stabilizing member or shell is configured to stabilize, receive and protect at least one stack of preformed flower pot covers. A stack of preformed flower pot covers is stacked on the portable platform so that the preformed flower pot covers of the stack are nested within one another and supported and stabilized in between the stabilizing members or shells. The at least one stack of preformed flower pot covers can then be secured to the platform using stretch wrap, shrink wrap, straps, tape, rope or the like and then transported to a predetermined destination.

The objects, features and advantages of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) will become apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, shown therein is a substantially square shaped flexible sheet of material 10 used for forming flower pot covers 13. The sheet of material 10 is typically fabricated from a polymeric material, for example but not by way of limitation, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and combinations thereof. However, it will be appreciated that the sheet of material 10 can be fabricated of paper, metallic film, foil, cloth, denim, burlap or the like. Further, at least a portion of the sheet of material 10 may be extruded and/or modified in any manner to provide a decorative appearance and/or texture thereto. Such modifications include but are not limited to, printing, embossing, texturing coloring, engraving, an appearance and/or texture simulating the appearance and/or texture of cloth, an appearance and/or texture simulating the appearance and/or texture of paper, as well as combinations thereof.

The thickness of the sheet of material 10 can vary widely, however desirable results can be obtained where the sheet of material 10 is relatively thin having a thickness in a range from about 0.5 mil to about 30 mil, and is very flexible and flimsy so that the sheet of material 10 will not normally maintain or hold a predetermined formed shape (non-shape sustaining). The sheet of material 10 is provided with an upper surface 11 and a lower surface 12, and at least a portion of either the upper surface 11 or the lower surface 12 or both the upper surface 11 and the lower surface 12 is adapted to be bondable so that when at least a portion of the overlapping folds of the bondable surface are brought into bondable contact, such portions are bondably connected.

Referring now to FIG. 2, shown therein is a preformed flower pot cover 13 formed from the flexible sheet of material 10. The preformed flower pot cover 13 includes a base 14 having an open upper end 16, a closed lower end 18, an object opening 20 extending through the open upper end 16, and a decorative skirt 22 which extends angularly upwardly and outwardly from the upper end 16 of the base 14. The decorative skirt 22 includes four accentuated and sculptured flared petal-like portions 24. Each flared petal-like portion 24 terminates with a pointed end formed by one of the four corners of the sheet of material 10 when the sheet of material 10 is formed into the flower pot cover 13. Further, each flared petal-like portion 24 extends a distance angularly upwardly and outwardly from the open upper end 16 of the base 14 terminating with the pointed end of the flared petal-like portion 24. The flared petal-like portions 24 are spaced apart circumferentially about the decorative skirt 22 and spaced apart at about ninety degree intervals. A flare connecting portion 26 is disposed between each pair of adjacent flared petal-like portions 24. Each of the flare connecting portions 26 extends a distance angularly upwardly and outwardly from the open upper end 16 of the base 14 less than the distances which the pointed ends of the flared petal-like portions 24 extend from the open upper end 16 of the base 14.

The object opening 20 of the preformed flower pot cover 13 is shaped and sized to receive a flower pot (not shown). When a flower pot is disposed in the object opening 20 of the preformed flower pot cover 13, the base 14 substantially encompasses an outer peripheral surface of the flower pot extending generally between the upper and the lower ends of the flower pot with the upper end 16 of the base 14 of the preformed flower pot cover 13 being disposed generally near the upper end of the flower pot and the lower end 18 of the preformed flower pot cover 13 being disposed generally near the lower end of the flower pot. The closed lower end 18 of the preformed flower pot cover 13 extends across and encompasses the lower end of the flower pot. When the preformed flower pot cover 13 is disposed about the flower pot, the decorative skirt 22 of the preformed flower pot cover 13 extends a distance angularly upwardly and outwardly from the upper end of the flower pot and the preformed flower pot cover 13 extends generally circumferentially about the upper end of the flower pot.

The base 14 of the preformed flower pot cover 13 includes a plurality of overlapping folds 28 (only some of the overlapping folds 28 being designated by a reference numeral in the drawings). A substantial portion of the overlapping folds 28 extend at angles to a vertical direction and at angles to a horizontal direction, the various angles being arbitrary and varying from one overlapping fold 28 to another overlapping fold 28. Further, the base 14 of the preformed flower pot cover 13 includes a plurality of overlapping folds 28 with the various overlapping folds 28 being positioned at various positions about the entire outer peripheral surface of the base 14 and at various positions between the upper and the lower ends 16 and 18 of the base 14. The overlapping folds 28 provide an overall decorative appearance to the base 14. However, more significantly, the overlapping folds 28 provides mechanical strength to the base 14 for enabling the base 14 to stand upright (substantially retain the shape of the flower pot cover formed from the sheet of material 10) on the closed lower end 18 of the base 14. In this manner, the base 14 of the preformed flower pot cover 13 has sufficient mechanical strength to stand upright about the flower pot without the necessity of mechanically connecting the base 14 to the flower pot, other than the connection normally provided when the lower end of the flower pot engages the lower end 18 of the preformed flower pot cover 13 when the preformed flower pot cover 13 is disposed about the flower pot.

The overlapping folds 28 are formed by overlapping portions of the bondable surface of the sheet of material 10 and bringing such overlapping portions into bondable engagement or contact. In this manner, the overlapping folds 28 are permanently fixed in the preformed flower pot cover 13. Thus, in those instances when only the lower surface 12 of the flexible sheet of material 10 is prepared to form a bondable surface, the overlapping portions of the bondable lower surface 12 are brought into bondable contact during the forming of the preformed flower pot cover 13 and such overlapping portions are bonded to form the overlapping folds 28. The corresponding overlapping portions of the upper surface 11 of the sheet of material 10 are not bonded. Similarly, in those instances when only the upper surface 11 of the sheet of material 10 is prepared to form a bondable surface, the overlapping portions of the bondable upper surface 11 are brought into bondable contact during the forming of the flower pot cover 13 and such overlapping portions are bonded to form the overlapping folds 28. The corresponding overlapping portions of the lower surface 12 of the sheet of material 10 are not bonded. Finally, in those instances when both the upper surface 11 and the lower surface 12 of the sheet of material 10 are prepared to form bondable upper and lower surfaces, the overlapping portions of the upper surface 11 and the lower surface 12 of the sheet of material 10 are brought into bondable contact during the forming of the preformed flower pot cover 13 and such overlapping portions of the upper surface 11 and the lower surface 12 are bonded to form the overlapping folds 28.

For aesthetic purposes, it may be preferable in certain instances that the decorative skirt 22 and particularly the flared petal-like portions 24 remain substantially smooth and substantially free of bonded overlapping folds. Also, it may be desirable that the flare connecting portions 26 also remain substantially smooth and substantially free of bonded overlapping folds.

While one embodiment of preformed flower pot cover has been shown and described herein, it is to be understood that other types of preformed flower pot covers are known in the art and are also contemplated for use with the methods of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s). For example but not by way of limitation, preformed flower pot covers having differing configurations of bases and/or skirts are known and also contemplated for use herein, and therefore are fall within the scope of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s); thus, the preformed flower pot cover of FIG. 2 is not to be considered as limiting. Other examples of preformed flower pot covers that may be utilized in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,412, issued to Weder et al. on Jul. 9, 1991, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,072, issued to Weder et al. on Oct. 19, 1993, both of which are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 shown therein is a shipping pallet 40 constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s). The shipping pallet 40 includes a portable platform 42 having a plurality of preformed flower pot cover receiving recesses 44 formed therein. The shipping pallet 40 provides a simple and low cost device for packaging and shipping a plurality of preformed flower pot covers 13, in a convenient and cost effective manner. The portable platform 42 is shown to be constructed of a plastic material and formed to provide an upper angled surface 46 surrounding each of the preformed flower pot cover receiving recesses 44. The upper angled surface 46 surrounds each of the preformed flower pot cover receiving recesses 44 to provide support for at least a portion of the decorative skirt 22 of the preformed flower pot covers 13 when the preformed flower pot covers are stacked in the preformed flower pot cover receiving recesses 44 of the portable platform 42.

The thinness of the material used to form the preformed flower pot covers 13 and the nesting ability of the preformed flower pot covers 13 permits a significant number of the preformed flower pot covers 13 to be stacked on one shipping pallet, such as the shipping pallet 40. For example, each stack of preformed flower pot covers 13 may be formed to be as high as six or seven feet, thereby resulting in the positioning of as many as 16,000 six inch diameter preformed flower pot covers on a 48 inch by 48 inch shipping pallet and 42,000 four inch diameter preformed flower pot covers on a 40 inch by 48 inch shipping pallet. In comparison, using the conventional method of shipping preformed flower pot covers in cardboard boxes, a 40 inch by 48 inch pallet will support 30 boxes dimensioned to hold 400 four inch diameter preformed flower pot covers. This constitutes only 12,000 preformed flower pot covers on one pallet versus 42,000 preformed flower pot covers using the method of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

As previously stated, the preformed flower pot cover receiving recesses 44 are formed within the platform 42. The preformed flower pot cover receiving recesses 44 are each sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the preformed flower pot covers 13 in an upright position, as described above, and in turn, support a stack of the preformed flower pot covers 13, as shown in FIG. 3. The preformed flower pot cover receiving recesses 44 are further sized so that the decorative skirt 22 of the bottommost preformed flower pot cover 13 extends above the platform 42 so that at least a portion of the decorative skirt engages or is supported by at least a portion of the upwardly angled surface 46 to provide support and prevent damage to the decorative skirts 22. The angled surface 46 of the platform 42 provides added support and prevents damage to the skirt of each preformed flower pot cover 13 from upper forces when the preformed flower pot covers 13 are stacked as described herein. Each stack of preformed flower pot covers 13 supported on the shipping pallet 40 may be secured to the shipping pallet 40 by wrapping a length of stretch wrap around the periphery of the stacks of preformed flower pot covers 13 in the manner described herein and depicted in FIGS. 9-10.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 shown therein is another embodiment of a shipping pallet constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s). The shipping pallet 50 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 includes a portable platform 52 having a plurality of preformed flower pot cover receiving recesses 54. The platform 52 is shown to be constructed of a plastic material or other suitable material and formed to provide an upper planar surface 56.

The plurality of preformed flower pot cover receiving recesses 54 are formed in the platform 52 and extend from the upper planar surface to a depth substantially corresponding to the length of the base of the preformed flower pot cover 13; however, the depth of the preformed flower pot cover receiving recesses 54 may be slightly deeper than the length of the base of the preformed flower pot cover 13, so that the area surrounding the opening of the preformed flower pot cover receiving recesses 54 is able to come into contact with a portion of the decorative skirt 22 of the preformed flower pot cover 13. The preformed flower pot cover receiving recesses 54 are provided with a diameter substantially greater than the base of the preformed flower pot cover 13, and are each sized and shaped to receive at least one of the preformed flower pot covers 13 described above in an upright position and, in turn, support a stack of the preformed flower pot covers 13, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The preformed flower pot cover receiving recesses 54 are further sized so that at least a portion of the decorative skirt 22 of the bottommost preformed flower pot cover 13 extends above the platform 52, so that the area surrounding the opening of the preformed flower pot cover receiving recess 54 of the platform 52 is partially in contact with the decorative skirt 22 so as to provide added support and to prevent damage to the decorative skirt 22 of each preformed flower pot cover 13 from upper forces when the preformed flower pot covers 13 are stacked. The stack of preformed flower pot covers 13 supported on the shipping pallet 50 may be secured to the shipping pallet 50 by wrapping a length of stretch wrap around the periphery of the stacks of preformed flower pot covers 13 in the manner described herein and depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, shown therein is another embodiment of a shipping pallet constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s). Shipping pallet 60 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 includes a portable platform 62 and a plurality of stabilizing members or shells 64 positioned thereon so as to extend upwardly from an upper surface 65 of the portable platform 62. The stabilizing members or shells 64 may be constructed of any suitable material and configured in any desirable shape. However, a particular material is a lightweight, durable plastic, and a particular shape is substantially frusto-conical, because the base of the preformed flower pot covers 13 are typically formed to have a substantially frusto-conical shape for receiving a substantially frusto-conically shaped flower pot. By way of example, each of the stabilizing members or shells 64 could alternatively be a flower pot or a round cardboard tube or Styrofoam form having the necessary size and configuration to support a stack of preformed flower pot covers 13. Alternatively, the stabilizing members or shells 64 may assume any shape that will allow them to function in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s), such as but not limited to, square, rectangular, cylindrical, spherical, hexagonal, octagonal, polygonal, and any other desired shape.

The plurality of stabilizing members or shells 64 are positioned to receive, stabilize and protect a plurality of preformed flower pot covers 13. In particular, the stabilizing members or shells 64 are positioned so that a stack of preformed flower pot covers 13 can be placed in an upright position between the stabilizing members or shells 64, whereby the stabilizing members or shells 64 provide stability and support to the stacks of preformed flower pot covers 13. The portable platform 62 of the shipping pallet 60 is in the form of a flat sheet of material commonly known as a slip sheet. Slip sheets are typically manufactured of cardboard, but can be manufactured of any desired material, such as but not limited to, wood, metal, plastic or the like. The stabilizing members or shells 64 may be merely disposed on the platform 62 or secured to the platform 62 with any suitable fastening members, such as but not limited to, nuts and bolts, a suitable adhesive, or the like.

In the method of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s), a single stack of preformed flower pot covers 13 may be supported between at least two stabilizing members of shells 64, between at least three stabilizing members of shells 64, between at least four stabilizing members of shells 64, or between at least five stabilizing members or shells 64.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, shown therein is an apparatus 70 for supporting the preformed flower pot covers 13 on any of shipping pallets 40, 50 and 60 described above. The apparatus 70 can be used to stabilize the preformed flower pot covers 13 during the stacking process and can be used for wrapping sheet of material 72 about the periphery of the stacked preformed flower pot covers 13 for added support during the shipping and storage process.

The sheet of material 72 also serves to protect the preformed flower pot covers 13 from dirt and water damage during the shipping and storage process. In certain non-limiting instances, the sheet of material 72 may be preferably transparent to permit inspection of the preformed flower pot covers 13 without requiring the sheet of material 72 to be first removed.

In instances when greater stability may be desired, the sheet of material 72 may be wrapped over the top of the stacks of preformed flower pot covers 13 and underneath the platform. Any suitable material may be utilized as the sheet of material 72, including but not limited to, stretch film, shrink wrap, straps, tape, rope and the like.

While the apparatus 70 can be used to secure the stacks of preformed flower pot covers 13 on any suitable shipping pallet, such as shipping pallets 40, 50 and 60, described above, the apparatus 70 will now be described with reference to shipping pallet 40 for purposes of brevity. The apparatus 70 includes a base member 74, a turntable 76 mounted to the base 74 and adapted to receive the shipping pallet 40 thereon, and a plurality of vertical support panels 78, 80, 82, 84, positioned about the turntable 76. The apparatus 70 is characterized as having an open front end 86, a first side defined by the panel 78, a second side defined by the panel 80, and a back end defined by the panel 82 and the panel 84.

The panel 78 and the panel 82 are supported in a vertical upright position adjacent to the turntable 76 by a spring hinge 90 extending upward from the base 74. The hinge 90 biases the panel 78 and the panel 82 in a perpendicular relationship relative to one another but permits the panel 78 and the panel 82 to swing outwardly away from the turntable 76 upon a force being exerted on the inner surface of the panel 78 and the panel 82.

Likewise, the panel 80 and the panel 84 are supported in a vertical upright position adjacent to the turntable 76 by a spring hinge 92 which biases the panel 80 and the panel 84 in a perpendicular relationship relative to one another but permits the panel 80 and the panel 84 to swing outwardly away from the turntable 76 upon a force being exerted on the inner surface of the panel 80 and the panel 84.

Each support panel 78, 80, 82, 84 is shown to be provided with a plurality of horizontal slots 93 for facilitating the stacking process. However, it should be appreciated that the slots 93 can be formed in the support panels 78, 80, 82, 84 in any number of orientations, such as vertically or diagonally.

The apparatus 70 further includes a rack 94 for supporting a roll of stretch wrap 96 and a guide post 98 for guiding and supporting the sheet of material 72 removed from the roll of material 96.

In use, any of the shipping pallets described herein can be placed on the turntable 76 through the open front end 86 thereof. For purposes of brevity however, the apparatus 70 is being described with reference only to shipping pallet 40. The preformed flower pot covers 13 are stacked onto the stabilizing members or shells of the shipping pallet 40 until the desired number of preformed flower pot covers 13 are positioned on the shipping pallet 40. While the preformed flower pot covers 13 are being stacked onto the pallet 40 and prior to the stack of preformed flower pot covers 13 being secured to the shipping pallet 40 with the sheet of material 72, the panels 78, 80, 82, and 84 serve to support the stacks of preformed flower pot covers 13 in a substantially vertical orientation thereby facilitating the stacking process.

As previously stated, while the wrapping of shipping pallets is described with reference to shipping pallet 40, it should be noted that any of the shipping pallets described herein or any other shipping pallet capable of performing the function described herein may be wrapped as described below. To wrap the stack of preformed flower pot covers 13 with the sheet of material 72, a leading edge 97 of the sheet of material 72 is fed over the guide post 98 and positioned against one of the stacks of preformed flower pot covers 13. The shipping pallet 40 with the stacks of preformed flower pot covers 13 positioned thereon is then rotated in a counterclockwise direction by rotating the turntable 76. Rotation of the shipping pallet 40 and the stacks of preformed flower pot covers 13 in turn cause the sheet of material 72 to be wrapped around the periphery of the stacks of preformed flower pot covers 13 and an upper portion of the platform 40. The sheet of material 72 is caused to be wrapped about the shipping pallet 40 and the stacks of preformed flower pot covers 13 one or more times so as to insure that the sheet of material 72 secures the stacks of preformed flower pot covers 13 to the pallet 40. Upon rotating the shipping pallet 40 and the stacks of preformed flower pot covers 13 the desired number of rotations, a trailing end of the sheet of material 72 is cut or torn from the roll of stretch wrap 96 and secured to an overlapping portion of the sheet of material 72.

The spring hinges 90 and 92 bias the panels 78-84 in a position substantially parallel and adjacent to the sides of the turntable 76. The spring hinges 90 and 92 additionally permit the panels 78-84 to be swung in an outwardly direction relative to the turntable 76 to permit the turntable 76 to rotate. More specifically, to permit the panels 78-84 to support the stacks of preformed flower pot covers 13 positioned on the shipping pallet 40, which has a substantially square shape, and to accommodate the rotation of the square shaped shipping pallet 40 during the wrapping process, the panels 78-84 are caused to pivot outwardly when engaged by the corners of the turntable 76 during rotation of the turntable 76. The corners of the turntable 76 are preferably round in certain instances, to facilitate sliding engagement between the turntable 76 and the panels 78-84.

From the above description it is clear that the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is well adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s). While presently particular embodiments of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) disclosed and as defined in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of packaging a plurality of preformed flower pot covers, each preformed flower pot cover having a base with a lower end, an open upper end, and an object opening extending therethrough for receiving the flower pot, each preformed flower pot cover further having a decorative skirt extending outwardly from the upper end of the base, the method comprising the steps of: forming at least one stack of preformed flower pot covers such that the preformed flower pot covers of the stack are nested within one another; and supporting the at least one stack of preformed flower pot covers in an upright position on a portable platform, the portable platform having a plurality of stabilizing members positioned thereon so as to receive, stabilize, and protect the at least one stack of preformed flower pot covers, and wherein each stack of preformed flower pot covers is placed in an upright position between at least two stabilizing members, whereby the stabilizing members provide stability and support to the stack of preformed flower pot covers.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein each stack of preformed flower pot covers is placed in an upright position between at least three stabilizing members that provide stability and support to the stack of preformed flower pot covers.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein each stack of preformed flower pot covers is placed in an upright position between at least four stabilizing members that provide stability and support to the stack of preformed flower pot covers.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein each stack of preformed flower pot covers is placed in an upright position between at least five stabilizing members that provide stability and support to the stack of preformed flower pot covers.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of stabilizing members extends upwardly from an upper surface of the portable platform, and wherein the lower end of the base of the bottommost preformed flower pot cover in the stack of preformed flower pot covers is disposed on the upper surface of the portable platform.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of stabilizing members are secured to the portable platform.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of securing the at least one stack of preformed flower pot covers to the portable platform.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the securing step includes wrapping a flexible sheet of material about at least a portion of the periphery of the portable platform and the at least one stack of preformed flower pot covers.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of disposing the portable platform having the at least one stack of preformed flower pot covers supported thereon in a shipping apparatus comprising a plurality of vertical support panels.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transporting the portable platform with the at least one stack of preformed flower pot covers supported thereon to a predetermined destination.
 11. A method of packaging a plurality of preformed flower pot covers, each preformed flower pot cover having a base with a lower end, an open upper end, and an object opening extending therethrough for receiving the flower pot, each preformed flower pot cover further having a decorative skirt extending outwardly from the upper end of the base, the method comprising the steps of: forming at least one stack of preformed flower pot covers such that the preformed flower pot covers of the stack are nested within one another; and positioning a plurality of stabilizing members on an upper surface of a portable platform, wherein the plurality of stabilizing members are positioned so as to receive, stabilize, and protect the at least one stack of preformed flower pot covers; and supporting the at least one stack of preformed flower pot covers in an upright position on the portable platform by placing each stack of preformed flower pot covers in an upright position between at least two stabilizing members, whereby the stabilizing members provide stability and support to the stack of preformed flower pot covers.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein each stack of preformed flower pot covers is placed in an upright position between at least three stabilizing members that provide stability and support to the stack of preformed flower pot covers.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein each stack of preformed flower pot covers is placed in an upright position between at least four stabilizing members that provide stability and support to the stack of preformed flower pot covers.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein each stack of preformed flower pot covers is placed in an upright position between at least five stabilizing members that provide stability and support to the stack of preformed flower pot covers.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of stabilizing members extends upwardly from an upper surface of the portable platform, and wherein the lower end of the base of the bottommost preformed flower pot cover in the stack of preformed flower pot covers is disposed on the upper surface of the portable platform.
 16. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of securing the plurality of stabilizing members to the portable platform.
 17. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of securing the at least one stack of preformed flower pot covers to the portable platform.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the securing step includes wrapping a flexible sheet of material about at least a portion of the periphery of the portable platform and the at least one stack of preformed flower pot covers.
 19. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of disposing the portable platform having the at least one stack of preformed flower pot covers supported thereon in a shipping apparatus comprising a plurality of vertical support panels.
 20. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of transporting the portable platform with the at least one stack of preformed flower pot covers supported thereon to a predetermined destination. 